Gary Kent's Real Estate Q & A
(858) 457-KENT Visit Our Website Issue #410
In This Issue Welcome! This Week's Special Offer

Welcome To The Latest Issue
I just want to say THANK YOU for all the referrals of friends and family to buy and sell homes. Rest assured we'll take care of you and anyone you send to us.

…Upcoming seminars:

…Do you or a friend need to sell a San Diego home with a too-high mortgage? A short sale can allow a sale with minor credit impact, minimal/no cost, and usually no tax impact. In a quick phone call I’ll tell you if you qualify--no cost or obligation. Call (858)457-KENT or email Gary@GaryKent.com. Please pass this info to anyone who needs my help. Thank you.

…Last week Roger Showley of the San Diego Union reported a record 9.9% of San Diego County homeowners with mortgages are 2 or more months delinquent. That’s up from 6.2% a year ago. FYI, California’s delinquent rate is 11% and the U.S. rates is 6.9%.

…This Week’s Crazy Building: “The Torre Galatea Figueras” in Spain. This might be why the chicken crossed the road.

…Got nothing better to do? Amuse and scare yourself by looking at the piling U.S. debt on www.usdebtclock.org.

Follow me on Twitter or become a Facebook Fan.

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True Story: You Mean I Don’t Get The Other $11 Back?
Way back when, one of my clients paid a whopping $18,000 for her Clairemont home. She put $99 down, but got $88 back. Such a deal.

Quick Real Estate Tip #30
Selling? Ask your agent to put in the listing agreement that you have the right to cancel if you're unhappy. If they won’t, find a new agent.

Top 10 Fattest U.S. Cities
According to Men’s Fitness magazine..

Miami. FL
Oklahoma City, OK
San Antonio, TX
Las Vegas, NV
New York, NY
Houston, TX
El Paso, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Charlotte, NC
Louisville-Jefferson, KY
24. *** San Diego, CA

Full List Here

Find Out The Value Of Your Home Or Rental Property FREE — Right Over The Phone
Considering selling? Now you can quickly, easily find out today's value of your home or other San Diego County real estate, right over the phone. Call and tell me about your property. I’ll research the market and arrive at an honest, realistic price you can expect to get in today’s market. Need a more accurate figure? Ask me to come by. For your free over-the-phone or in person evaluation, just call me at (858)457-KENT. Please tell a friend…

Join Our "Preferred Client Group" For The Best Values
I find great real estate deals every week. But too often we cant match a client in time and someone else scoops it up. (My bank-clients wont let me buy their properties, or I'd be my best client!)

So I developed my Private Client Group, a select group of people serious, qualified, and ready to grab a great deal on a home or investment when -- or before -- it hits the market.

If you'd like to be in the Preferred Client Group, you need to:

  1. Pre-approve with our approved lender
  2. Come in for a short sit-down counseling session
  3. Commit to work with us

To join and get the jump on the best real estate values in town, call us at (858)457-KENT or email us at PCG@GaryKent.com.

Check Out Our Foreclosure Hot-List!
Want to buy a foreclosure, but can’t find a website to search for them? Finally…check out our 100% BRAND-NEW website: www.Foreclosure-Hotlist.com. It’s 2.5 years in the making (OK, so we were a little slow), but it’s well worth it. Let me know what you think.

FREE MLS Online Search For A San Diego or Riverside Home
To search for a home right now, click here: Free MLS Homesearch.

This Week’s Free Offer:
Thinking Of Selling?
Get Your FREE “Homeseller’s Document & Deed Kit” To YOUR San Diego County Property

Now you can receive a FREE complete set of vital documents you need when you sell your real estate. Your free Homeseller’s Document & Deed Kit includes:
Notarized Grant Deed
Notarized Trust Deed(s)
Official Square-Footage Of Your Home & Lot
Official Parcel Map To Your Property, With Property Lines
Area Sales Activity
Area School Info + Test Scores
For your free Document Kit on your home or other property, call me at (858)457-KENT. We will send it to you by mail within 3 business days.

Send This Free Newsletter To A Friend
Subscribe them with a quick email to TellAFriend@GaryKent.com with their email address in the subject line.

Remember to email your questions, comments, compliments, corrections, critiques, &
rebuttals to Questions@GaryKent.com.

Gary's Real Estate Seminars

Three different free seminars for you, family, &/or a friend to attend:

“How to Short Sale Your Home or Rental

“How to Buy a Foreclosure or Short Sale in San Diego

“How to Sell Your Home For Top Dollar in 2010

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FREE Seminar
“How To Short Sale Your Home Or Rental”

UTC Mall – Saturday: March 27th 2010, 10am-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

When you attend, you'll discover the truth about:

  • Short sales, clearly & simply explained!
  • Are YOU likely to qualify for a short sale?
  • Can you really do short sale with -0- out of YOUR pocket?
  • How long short sales take...& how to cut the time in HALF**
  • Tax impacts of short sale vs. foreclosure (verify w/ your CPA!)
  • The document your attorney must read closely to avoid problems
  • Your 7 options if you owe too much. Most agents only tell you 3.
  • Which “hardships” qualify you for a short sale? Which don’t?
  • The specific clause you need in your contract with the buyer
  • Do you need to be CURRENT on HOA dues? Property taxes?
  • Do you need to be BEHIND on your mortgage payments?
  • If an agent does THIS, they likely don’t know short sales
  • 5 reasons a short sale is usually better than foreclosure
  • THE most important thing to have to do a short sale
  • Impact & how long is a short sale be on your credit?
  • How soon can you buy a home after a short sale?
  • Will a short sale delay or prevent foreclosure?
  • Can your lender go after you for their loss?
  • Should you spend $ to fix up your home?

register now

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FREE Seminar
"HOW TO BUY A FORECLOSURE OR SHORT SALE IN SAN DIEGO"

UTC Mall – Saturday, April 10th, 10am-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

When you attend, you'll learn the truth about:

  • - With 12% of U.S. mortgages are behind, is there a new wave of Alt-A, Option ARM, & Prime foreclosures coming?
  • - Bailouts, loan “mods”, shadow inventory...what’s really going on?
  • - How to beat multiple offers & get the bank to accept YOUR offer
  • - When homebuyers can put 3% down and investors 10% down
  • - Top San Diego neighborhoods with the best REO deals today
  • - How to get banks to pay EVERY PENNY of your closing costs
  • - Should you buy before home prices climb out of your reach?
  • - Auction tricks, traps, and pitfalls that I swear will shock you
  • - How to cut in half the time it takes to close your short sale
  • - Seller doesn’t have THIS? Don’t even offer on a short sale
  • - Free email access to undervalued & foreclosed properties
  • - Short sales...5 things to know before you make an offer
  • - The #1 mistake people make when offering on an REO
  • - Traps in the small-print that banks make you sign
  • - New website where you can find foreclosures
  • - The truth about a home that’s a “short sale”
  • - How much banks negotiate off their price
  • - What to watch out for in an REO
  • - Much more

register now

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FREE Seminar
"HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR IN 2010"

UTC Mall – Saturday, April 27th, 10am-Noon
Click for Seminar Flyer / Click to Reserve Your Free Seat

When you attend, you'll discover:

  • - Market forecast: What’s you can expect in 2010
  • - “Value Range Pricing” explained...can it get you a higher price?
  • - How to tell if a broker is honest…or B.S.ing you to sign a listing
  • - Find out how much higher your buyer will pay—this only works half the time, but when it does…!
  • - This one document can protect you & make your sale smoother …and why 99% of agents don’t use it
  • - Price your home to get more offers & more money in less time (it’s the opposite of what people think)
  • - The oldest real estate agent trick in the book—don’t be fooled
  • - How some agents sabotage their clients & cost them $1,000's
  • - Avoid the common trap of paying 3 times for the same repair!
  • - 3 likely reasons your sale may fall thru & how to avoid them
  • - The truth: why it’s 100% irrelevant which company you hire
  • - Creatively turn your home’s biggest drawback into a benefit
  • - Sell your home tax-free after 2 years using IRS Code 121
  • - 10 Interview questions so you choose the best Realtor
  • - How to handle multiple offers so you get the most $$
  • - Spend peanuts & boost your home value by $1,000s
  • - Should you—and CAN you—sell your home “as is”?
  • - How to REALLY know if your buyer is qualified
  • - 5 dumb avoidable mistakes sellers make
  • - When is the best time to list your home?
  • - How to stay out of court & not get sued

register now

Home Buying Question

"My friend is looking at a house that's listed for $550,000, but was appraised for $575,000. He thinks it must be underpriced, but I've heard that appraisals aren't always accurate. Do you agree?"

Answer:
Yup. The appraisers I know are hard-working, smart professionals and usually the figures they come up with are right on or close.

But I've seen WAY too many appraisals that were WAY off the mark that I don't blindly trust any appraisal. There’s not a consistent pattern, but it seems that refinance appraisals tend to be high and sales appraisals tend to be close or low.

I could tell you dozens of stories of clients who came to me saying their home or rental was worth $X due to an appraisal they'd had. Then I "ran the comps" and it was clear the actual market value was very different from the appraisal.

In short, MAYBE your friend has found a bargain. But his agent should advise him and show him comparable sales information so he can draw his own conclusions...

Home Selling Question

"My wife and I plan to sell our home in a few weeks. Our front yard is a mess and needs to be redone so we have better curb appeal. Should I put in rock instead of grass?"

Answer:
Do you want me to be honest or give you the politically correct answer?

The politically correct answer is that, with our water shortage, you should put in a rock lawn. I’ve even heard people say (incorrectly) that a low-water rock yard is a big selling point. And indeed it may be, but only to a small % of homebuyers.

The reality is that people buy on emotion. And to most people a big beautiful green lawn just looks better and evokes positive memories, associations, and memories.

So, if you want to “do the right thing”, put in rock. If you want to sell your home faster and for more money, put in grass.

You make the call…

Investing or Financing Question

--No investing or financing question this week, here’s some info for you I learned from a credit expert--

Answer:
Credit expert Derrick Evens, 877-260-1961, www.PerfectCredentials.com, info@PerfectCredentials.com shared this with me:

If you think that having no or minimal loans and credit will help your credit score, think again.

The ideal credit mix is 3-5 credit cards, 1 auto loan, and 1 mortgage.

Hot Properties: Call Now On These Hot New
Listings & Not-Yet-On-The-Market Properties

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PROPERTY!

Cute Condo
In La Jolla

  • BR/BA: 1/1
  • Sqft: 713
  • Price: $309,900

– La Jolla – Foreclosure! TOP 10 REASONS YOU'LL LOVE THIS HOME: #1- Ocean breezes & just blocks away from Windansea. #2- Enjoy living in prestigious "Villa La Jolla" community. #3- Huge living room. #4- Patio balcony. #5- Cute kitchen w/ skylight. #6- Top floor unit. #7- Lots of windows. #8- Common exercise room/rec room. #9- Common pool/spa. #10- Enjoy beautiful La Jolla living!
Contact Me

Coming Soon
(Be first to know when these come available!)

– Bankers Hill / Uptown – Foreclosure! Dramatic 1-level condo w/ great views in prestigious “Brittany Towers” on Laurel. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1866 sqft
Loaned to 820K >>> To be hi 600s?
– Carmel Valley – Foreclosure! Gorgeous townhome in gated “Trilogy”. 2-car garage, FPL, granite, travertine, more. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1628 sqft
Recently appraised @ ??? >>> To be 400s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Upgraded condo w/ 1BR downstairs. Ideal first home or cashflow rental. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1296 sqft
Last sold @ 354K >>> To be mid-100s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Cute house w/ hardwood floors, 2-car garage, nice yard, in great Hilltop neighborhood. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1444 sqft
Last sold @ 516K >>> To be low/mid 200s?
– Chula Vista – Foreclosure! Enjoy southerly views, designer pool/spa, & more from this spacious 2-story home. Contact Me
4BR/2.5BA, 2394 sqft
Last sold @ 665K >>> To be 400s?
– Clairemont – Foreclosure! West Clairemont next to Bay Ho. Handsome mid-century home w/ big yard and 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1144sqft
Loans to 535K >>> To be 400K?
– Downtown – Foreclosure! 2005-built 1BR condo in Metrome. One block from Petco and two blocks from the Gaslamp. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 703sqft
Last sold @ 411K >>> To be 200K?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Great townhome on culdesac in Meadow Run. Offers 2-car garage, bright kitchen, nice backyard. Contact Me
4BR/2.5BA, 1771 sqft
Recently loaned to 465K >>> To be low 200s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! 1984-built 1-story home w/ 2-car garage. Oversize 7578 sqft lot. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1341 sqft
Recently loaned to 459K >>> To be low 200s?
– Encanto – Foreclosure! Spacious 2-story 1984-built home on quiet street. 2-car garage, nice yard. Contact Me
4BR/3BA, 2088 sqft
Recently loaned to 510K >>> To be high 200s?
New– La Jolla – Foreclosure! Upgraded bright & sunny corner unit 1-level condo in established complex. Pool & garden view. Contact Me
1BR/1BA, 713 sqft
Loaned to 420K >>> To be low 300s?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Spacious 2BR view home on 1.14 acres. Needs some fixup. Built 1974. Contact Me
2BR/2BA, 1351 sqft
Loaned to 360K >>>To be 200s?
– Lakeside – Foreclosure! Dirt-cheap condo ideal for investor or first-time homeowner. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 728 sqft
Appraised @ 131K+ >>> To be in the 80s?
– Logan Heights – Foreclosure! Affordable 1-story home in urban area, 5 minutes to Petco Park. Great rental or 1st home. Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 1011 sqft
Foreclosed at 398K >>> To be high 100s?
– Logan Heights – Foreclosure! Two units on a 7000 sqft lot w/ alley access, just east of downtown. Contact Me
3/1 + 2/1 duplex
Last sold @ 635K >>> To be mid 200s?
– Nestor – Foreclosure! Ranch-style home w/ 2-car garage, fireplace, good-size backyard. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1152 sqft
Last sold @ 395K >>> Price TBD
– Nestor – Foreclosure! Gorgeous 2-story “Ocean Hills” home w/ views, 3-car garage, vaulted ceilings. Contact Me
5BR/2.5BA, 2353 sqft
Last sold @ 585K >>> Price TBD
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! 2004-built Summit Village condo. Minutes to beach, pier, & village. Gated + security garage. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1416 sqft
Last sold @ 515K >>> To be high 300s?
– Oceanside – Foreclosure! Luxury end unit townhome w/ attached 2-car garage, vaulted ceilings, many extras. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1837 sqft
Loaned to 427,5K >>> To be very high 200s?
–Poway – Foreclosure! 1975-built 1-level home on .326 acres near Espola Road. Some updating, large yard. Contact Me
4BR/2BA, 1785 sqft
Loaned to 565K >>> To be 400s?
– Rancho Bernardo – Foreclosure! Handsome 2-story home in Chateau Bernardo. Breathtaking panoramic views, 3-car garage. Contact Me
5BR/3BA, 3179 sqft
Last sold @ $789,000 >>> Price TBD
– San Carlos – Foreclosure! Affordable “Carefree” condo w/ only one common wall. Walk to Mission Trails Park! Contact Me
2BR/1BA, 880 sqft
Last sold @ 253,500 >>> To be 100s?
– University City – Foreclosure! Very affordable 1-level home in prime UC area w/ great schools. Quick 805 & 52 access. Contact Me
3BR/2BA, 1476 sqft
Loans to 547K >>> Around 500K?
– Vista – Foreclosure! 2-story mountain view home on large lot. pool. Sparkling pool, 2-car garage. Contact Me
3BR/1.5BA, 2424 sqft
Last sold @ $600,000 >>> Price TBD

NEWLY LISTED (Your Property Here!)

- Carmel Valley - Foreclosure! Property Features
home
Upper end “East Bluff” condo overlooking greenbelt. 2-car garage, interior laundry, FPL. 2 Bed, 2 Bath
942 sqft
Price: $399,900
- Encanto - Foreclosure! Check It Out
home
Spacious 2-story 1984-built home on quiet street. 2-car garage, nice yard. 4 Bed, 3 Bath
2088 sqft
Price: $285,000
Recently loaned to 510K
New - Rancho bernardo - Foreclosure! More Info
home
Approved Short Sale! Over-55 community 1-level condo in security building. Garage, patio. 2 Bed, 2 Bath
1016 sqft
Price: $199,900
Loaned to 390K
- Vista - Foreclosure Contact Me
home
Attractive 1-story 1970s home on quiet street near Vista High. 2-car garage, nice yard. 4 Bed, 2 Bath
1400 sqft
Price: $225,000
Loaned to $337,500

MORE GREAT HOMES & INVESTMENTS (Your Home Here!)

- Bay Park - More Info
home
Stunning recent-remodel bay view home w/ travertine, granite, MBR suite w/ huge walkin closet & Jacuzzi tub. 4 Bed, 3.5 Bath
2587 sqft
Price: $775,000 to $825,000
- Clairemont - Contact Me
home
Light/bright, well-maintained townhome in quiet complex. Walk to shopping. Quick 805, 163 access. 2 Bed, 1.5 Bath
960 Sqft
Price: $239,000
Sold - Clairemont - MLS Search
home
Handsome “Palisades” home w/ large yard, remodeled kitchen, RV parking, large rooms, granite, more. 5 Bed, 3 Bath
2100 Sqft
Price: $550,000 to $599,000
Sold - Clairemont - MLS Search
home
Immaculate updated home: quiet culdesac, huge backyard, California room (not in sqft), jacuzzi, fruit trees. 4 Bed, 2 Bath
1361 sqft
Price: $485,000
- Downtown - Contact Me
home
Penthouse unit w/ sweeping city & bay views. Offers extensive patio, stainless steel appliances, more. 1 Bed, 2 Bath
1199 Sqft
Price: $675,000
Sold @ $1,550,000
- Downtown - Take A Look
home
Gorgeous “Hard Rock” condo-hotel suite in the Gaslamp Quarter. “Rock Royalty” service & full hotel amenities. 1 Bed, 1 Bath
459 Sqft
Price: $489,000!
Last sold @ 589K
- El Cajon - Property Details
home
Well-maintained “Olive Hills” home on quiet street. Offers mountain views, sharp kitchen, FPL, big family room. 4 Bed, 2 Bath
1,904 Sqft
Price: $335,000-$365,000
- Escondido - Foreclosure! Take A Look
home
Custom home w/ front courtyard, private & secluded area, pool + covered patio, views! 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath
2317 Sqft
Price: $419,900
Last sold @ 663K
- Escondido - Short Sale! Contact Me
home
Remodeled condo perfect for 1st time buyer, investor, or anyone wanting tiny monthly payment. 1 Bed, 1 Bath
614 sqft
Price: $60,000
Last sold @ $100,000
Sold - La Jolla - Foreclosure! MLS Search
home
1-level ocean view home w/ many upgrades, remodeled kitchen, large lot. 3 Bed, 2 Bath
2,107Sqft
Price: $1.09M
Previously appraised @ 1.4M
- La Jolla - Property Details
home
High-end remodeled luxury home w/ spectacular ocean and coastline views! Granite, marble, hardwood bamboo, etc 3 Bed, 2 Bath
2188 Sqft
Price: $1.75M
- North Park - Short Sale! More Info
home
Unique, secluded, woodsy custom home. Fully redone w/ gourmet kitchen, hardwood, more. 7 Bed, 3 Bath
3056 Sqft
Price: $649,000
- Pacific Beach - View Detials
home
Fully remodeled Crown Point 1-level upper corner condo. Granite, stainless steel appliances, new carpet/paint. 2 Bed, 2 Bath
1400 Sqft
Price: Now 325-350K
Last sold @ 439K
- Pacific Beach / Mission Beach - Foreclosure! Check It Out
home
View condo w/ 2-car garage, walk to beach/bay, quaint 4-unit complex. 2 Bed, 2 Bath
955 Sqft
Price: $599,900
- San Marcos - Foreclosure! More Info
home
Affordable “Lake Park Villas” townhome. Near Restaurant Row & multiplex. 2 Bed, 1.5 Bath
957 sqft
Price: $129,900
Last sold @ $221,500
- Santee - Short Sale Contact Me
home
Lovely home on quiet street w/ pool, FPL, vaulted ceilings, 2-car garage, big backyard, & more. 4 Bed, 2 Bath
1483 sqft
Price: $385,000!
- Spring Valley - Property Features
home
Newly renovated home w/ granite, new paint/carpet/appliances, large rooms, walk-in closet, big backyard. 3 Bed, 2 Bath
1280 sqft
Price: $285,000-$305,000
- Spring Valley - Contact Me
home
Brand new 2009 construction, re-built virtually from the ground up. Extreme high quality: granite, etc. 4 Bed, 2 Bath
1680 Sqft
Price: $368,000
Sold - Tierrasanta - Foreclosure! MLS Search
home
Sharp 1989-built 2-story house next to Villa Norte Park. BR & full BA downstairs. 4 Bed, 3 Bath
1858 sqft
Price: Now $554,900
Loaned to 689K


Thank You For Your Referrals

Referring a friend or someone you care about is the highest compliment you can give me. Thank you for all of your generous referrals!

Have a great week,

GARY KENT "The Agent You See EVERYWHERE"
All-Time #1 Agent/Team In San Diego County for RE/MAX
23 Years Experience -- 3,300+ Homes Sold

Gary Kent Team --- RE/MAX Associates
(858)457-KENT --- (858)457-5368
GaryK@GaryKent.com -- www.GaryKent.com

If a friend would enjoy this enewsletter, forward it to them. To subscribe, email Subscribe@GaryKent.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

Due to production and shipping expense, free items are available only to residents, owners, and people planning to purchase real estate in San Diego.

This free e-newsletter tells you how to be more successful with your real estate transactions. You receive it because you subscribed, entered your email address at my site(s), or were referred. By reading it, you agree you: 1) understand this is opinion & not advice; 2) will seek professional tax, legal, and real estate advice; 3) are solely responsible for use of content, 4) hold Gary Kent, Gary Kent Homes & Estates, Kent & Associates Inc., and RE/MAX Associates harmless. Questions may be paraphrased for clarity/brevity. Disregard this email if you have a listing or buyer-broker agreement.

Copyright 2010 Gary Kent, All Rights Reserved.